10 Reasons to Buy Art on a Cruise Ship
If you’re like most cruisers, the highlight of your year is stepping aboard a cruise ship for a week of fun in the sun. Everyone has a favorite part about a cruise. Some love the unique dining options, others the onboard amenities like pools, movie theaters, mini-golf courses and tons more. If you
Shop ‘Til You Drop in St. Thomas
If you enjoy shopping…and getting a deal while doing it…you are going to love to shop ‘til you drop in St. Thomas. This duty-free port in the U.S Virgin Islands is truly a shopper’s paradise and offers cruise ship guests the experience of a lifetime as they stroll along the island’s st
Floats My Boat: Saltwater Painter Stephen Card
Tucked away in Sandys, Bermuda, you’ll find the home and studio of maritime artist Stephen Card. It’s a yellow house with dark green shutters — “The color scheme,” Card explains, “of the old Rotterdam’s lifeboats.” And with that statement alone, you realize that for this 67-year-old
Sailing into a New Year!
The Monthly Mantra Cruise Year Resolutions…Cruise Year Resolutions…Cruise Year Resolutions…. It seems everyone’s making resolutions this month: Lose weight, stop smoking, stop drinking and rev up the fitness routine. As a cruise fanatic, my resolutions are a bit different.
Eco Oceans: Sustainability by the MSC Seashore
When it comes to conservation efforts in the cruising industry today, all eyes are on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. And while visits to the eco-friendly paradise are just beginning, MSC is already making new waves with MSC Seashore — the first of two Seaside EVO–class ships, scheduled for servic
5 Things to Do in Cartagena
For nearly 500 years, Cartagena, Colombia has been a major port for cruisers and travelers alike. Founded by the Spanish in 1533, the city has a unique mix of old world history and modern amenities which make it an appealing vacation destination for all manner of cruiser and traveler. Whether you’
Gone to Sea: Broadway at Sea
In 2010, an imposing trio of bald, blue madmen convinced me that onboard entertainment was about to take an extraordinary turn. At the time, I was seated in the Epic Theater aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s recently launched Norwegian Epic. On the elaborate stage before me, a riotous performance of
The Judi’s Choice Awards 2019
The Monthly Mantra Judi’s Choice Awards … Judi’s Choice Awards … Judi’s Choice Awards … It’s time for the 2019 Judi’s Choice Awards! Unlike all those hum-drum “best-ofs” that tackle the obvious aspects of a cruise like dining, entertainment, and itineraries (anyone could do that)
Yum Yum at Crystal Cruises’ Umi Uma
This month, the quest for the best onboard restaurants takes us on Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony. You must book a reservation at Umi Uma. Famed restaurateur and celebrity chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa created the restaurant’s Japanese-Peruvian fusion menu. His unique style c
Your Colombian Emerald Holiday Buying Guide
Cruisers hopping off the ship in Cartagena, Colombia are excited to explore a South American city rich with local culture, Spanish colonial architecture, and one of the most prized gemstones; the emerald. Brilliant green and found deep in the Colombian mountains, the emerald captivates visitors with
VIP@Sea: @TheWaytoTravel (with kids!)
At first glance of their Instagram, @thewaytotravel is all about arid and sea-swept landscapes with a few quintessential candids of an enviable couple living out everyone’s dream. Look closer and you’ll spot another pint-sized explorer along for the ride, too. Mario and Ioanna began their nomadi
Planning a Family Reunion? Take a Cruise!
If you are thinking of planning a family reunion, there is truly no better place to have it than on a cruise! Not only is having your get together on a fun-filled cruise ship an amazing adventure, but it also offers a stress-free alternative for family fun where no one has to organize or clean [&hel
Take at Trip to Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano
Costa Rica is well known for it’s focus on eco-tourism and sustainable practices. A country bordered by both the Pacific and Atlantic ocean, the interior volcanic region, known as Arenal, is a gorgeous part of the country that feels wild and undisturbed by man. Thanks to the still-active Arena
Hidden Inland: Walla Walla WOW
The bustling summertime port city of Seattle offers an incredible range of sights and sounds, but if you’re set to sample the feast of Alaska cruising and looking for a pre-cruise appetizer or a post-cruise dessert, place your order for the off-the-menu town of Walla Walla, Washington. It’s no s
MSC Cruises Introduces New Accessible Shore Excursions Program
A new program for guests with varied mobility is helping more people discover the magic of a cruise vacation! MSC Cruises’ goal is to ensure that guests have the largest variety of shore excursions possible to suit all needs and their new expanded Accessible Shore Excursions Program is paving the
Waves in Cruise Fashion…What is Resort Casual?
The Monthly Mantra A Clothes Call … A Clothes Call … A Clothes Call … I confess. I was once turned away from a cruise ship dining room for not adhering to its dress code. It happened in Oslo in 2004 and at the time I was looking fabulous in pristine, dark blue AG boot-cut […]
What to Do in Miami Before Cruising: Guide to Unique Miami
Miami is home to one of the world’s largest ports and one of America’s best vacation cities. You have probably heard about the famous beaches and 365 days of summer, but there’s a whole lot more to this town once you peel back the layers. We’ve created this handy guide for the cruiser seekin
Pack These Vitamins for a Healthy Cruise Vacation
Your bags are all packed, your embarkation documents are all ready to go, you’ve arranged accommodations for your pets, yet you might be forgetting one crucial element to a happy and healthy cruise vacation: vitamins. Have you ever found yourself out to sea wishing you had brought along the ba
Sip Your Way Through Miami’s Marvelous Cocktails
Miami Beach is a whole lot more than just a strip of sand. This tropical paradise is where America comes to vacation thanks to beautiful weather, the world’s largest cruise ports and oh yeah, the beach. Most don’t know that once you get past the tourist area of Ocean Drive, Miami Beach is actual
The Best Place to Get Breakfast in Seattle Before You Cruise
A cruise is a fantastic way to see the sights of Puget Sound or extend a vacation on the water to more distant locales. While you’ve packed your luggage and are awaiting those famous cruise ship buffets, you’ll still need time to grab breakfast before you go. Fortunately, this city known
